Odisha: Government of India has intensified the efforts to restore the infrastructure in cyclone Fani-hit areas. The ministry of home affairs (MHA), National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha on Wednesday reviewed the rescue and relief measures in the cyclone-affected
areas of Odisha with the senior officials of the state government and Central ministries and agencies concerned.

"Odisha government informed that the situation in eight out of the total nine affected districts has improved and Power and Telecom services are gradually picking up in the worst affected areas of Puri and Bhubaneswar. About 3,500 men are engaged in restoration of power transmission lines, sub-stations, etc. And more workers would also be arriving from West Bengal and Telengana," MHA said.

Land line telephone services in Puri have started functioning and BSNL and other Telecom Service Providers have also improved their mobile services. The state government, in coordination with the Centre, has prepared a detailed plan identifying priority areas for restoration of power and telecom facilities in Puri and Bhubaneswar.

"Water supply in urban and rural areas has been restored to a large extent with the help of diesel generator sets," MHA added.

The ministry has also claimed that Odisha government has confirmed the receipt of additional financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crores released by the Centre.

Department of telecommunications is coordinating with the state government and all
telecom service providers would implement the priority plan for quick restoration of mobile and internet services in the affected areas of Odisha.

While banking services have also resumed in Puri, non-availability of power and telecom connectivity have been hampering the functioning of some ATMs. Meanwhile, for interstate transportation, railways have commenced partial operations between Khurda Road and Puri by running three Express/Mail trains on the route.

Authorities say that full restoration would be done by May 12.

Railways is also providing free transportation for the workers deployed for restoration of power infrastructure.

The ministry claimed, "Reviewing the relief measures, Cabinet secretary asked concerned officials of the state and Centre to focus on implementation of priority plans prepared for restoration of power and telecommunications in Puri and Bhubaneswar and monitor progress on a day-to-day basis. Based on the request of the Odisha government, he further directed a central team to visit the state soon to assess the extent of damage caused by cyclone Fani."